Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has cleared another hurdle in his recovery from a Christmas Day calf injury and is expected to rejoin the lineup soon, head coach JJ Redick said Tuesday.
Redick told reporters that Reaves has been participating in 3-on-3 sessions and is “looking like Austin” during live action. The next step is for the 27-year-old to appear in the club’s organized “stay-ready” scrimmages before he is cleared for full competition.
“Stay-ready games should be happening soon,” Redick said, according to The California Post’s Khobi Price in a post dated January 23, 2026.
Reaves has not played since sustaining the calf strain on December 25, 2025. The initial timetable called for a minimum six-week absence, placing his potential return squarely within the Lakers’ current eight-game road trip. Six contests remain on that stretch.
Before the setback, Reaves was delivering career-best numbers in his fourth NBA season and had drawn early All-Star consideration. Without him, Los Angeles has struggled on both ends, enduring prolonged scoring droughts and several double-digit defeats as defenses keyed on Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Doncic, who has forged quick chemistry with Reaves in their first full campaign together, recently said he is eager to see the guard back on the floor.
The Lakers enter the final leg of their trip looking healthier overall, with Reaves’ return expected to bolster depth and playmaking.
Source: Lakers Nation
